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The Sprout
The newsletter for North Hinksey & Botley
Issue 134 February 2019
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The Sprout
The Newsletter for North Hinksey & Botley
Directors: Janet Bartlam, Judi Bolder, John Clements, Janet
Godden, Ag MacKeith, Robin Palmer
Editor
Ag MacKeith
South View House, Old Botley, OX2 0JR Tel: 724452 Editor@TheSprout.org.uk
Advertising Manager
Michael Cockman
50, St Paul's Crescent OX2 9AG Tel: 07766 317691 Adverts@TheSprout.org.uk
Deliveries
Bhee Bellew and Robin Cox
15 Seacourt Road, OX2 9LD Tel: 790648 Deliveries@TheSprout.org.uk
Copy Date: Copy by 15th of month preceding publication. Earlier submission is
welcome. Later contributions may have to be held over to the next issue.
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last day for booking advertising is the 10th of the month preceding publication; in all
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sizes, quality requirements, advice on text and help with production, please contact
the Advertising Manager.
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Subscriptions: If you live outside North Hinksey Parish you can still receive The
Sprout on a regular basis. Just take out a postal subscription only £10 per annum,
delivered to your door. Contact: Carol Kramer 01865 243002.
Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of information printed in this
newsletter, mistakes may happen. The Editor and Team apologize unreservedly for
any errors that may occur and will do their best to correct them. This publication is not
a vehicle of the parish council, and parish councillors working with the Sprout do so in
a personal capacity. Opinions expressed are the opinions of the individual
contributors.
All concerned in the production and delivery of The Sprout are unpaid
volunteers.
The Sprout is printed on recycled paper by Dataprint Ltd, and
published by North Hinksey Parish Publications Ltd, (a company
limited by guarantee) Registration No. 05609535.
It can also be found online at BotleyHinksey.org.uk
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The Sprout
Issue 134, February 2019
Contents
3 Xpressway more resistance
7 Botley Arts
9 A Job Well Done
13 Brownies Get Around
15 Janet Wright
19 Planning Apps
21 Medical Practice PPG
25 A different take on Xmas
29 Flood Alleviation Scheme
34 CAB Sales talk
35 WWCC update
39 Randoms
43 Local Organizations
From the Editor
Moving into 2019, Botley is still a building site, and likely to get worse:
the proposed Flood Alleviation Scheme (p29), the appalling Oxford
Cambridge Expressway unwanted, unneeded and attracting widespread
opposition (p3), and the on-going Shopping Centre redevelopment (p35).
Local shops are in need of our support the Botley Barber just phoned to
say he’s offering 20% discount on children’s hair cuts for the month of
February, in the hope of bringing custom back to Elms Parade. Mace
have put round a plan showing the layout of the new central square. You
have to wonder what led them to call it ‘Westway Place’ not just
because the road’s name is West Way, but because of the potential for
confusion with the Westgate Centre and Westminster Way. Why not give
it a name that puts an end to the Botley/North Hinksey muddle once and
for all, and tells the world this is Botley? Botley Place, perhaps, or Botley
Square. Are you reviewing your New Year’s resolutions? The account
(p25) of an unusual Christmas Day gives food for thought. Did you
resolve to live a healthier life? Make a start by going to Dr MacEwan’s
healthy life talk on 6th February (p23). And then why not sign up for the
Big Spring Clean on the first weekend in March (p41) or join the Oxford
Conservation volunteers who have done such a great job of clearing the
community orchard (p9). Or make 2019 the year you finally took on that
Allotment (p41). So much to do, so little time!
P.S. If you’re wondering about the cover photo, it comes from the Fire
Service warning about chimney fires on p39. Ag MacKeith
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Expressway, No Way! Keep up the pressure!
The Oxford-Cambridge Expressway continues to threaten Botley with its
unwanted presence. While the possible routes are not due to be
announced until the autumn, it is pretty clear that there will be broadly
two choices for where the new road goes near Oxford: one would be
south of the city (possibly cutting across from the M40 to the A34 in the
Garsington area); the other would go north and then west of the city,
close to the A34.
This western route has dire implications for Botley, Wytham and South
Hinksey. The arguments against it have been made repeatedly and
include loss of housing, damage to the Commonwealth War Graves
cemetery, noise, air pollution and more. It’s hard to believe it is still on
the table and, what is more, some villages south of the city are actively
promoting the A34 as the route! A second western possibility, coming
down the A34 to the Botley roundabout, up the A420 towards Wootton,
and then cutting down to join the A34 also has many drawbacks.
The leader of the County Council continues to promote the Expressway
as a way to ‘sort out the A34’. The idea that to ‘sort out’ ten miles of
rush hour congestion around our city we need to develop a road from
Oxford to Cambridge would be laughable were it not coming from a
politician with some significant influence on our future. For over 30
years, empirical studies and official reports have agreed on the ‘rather
inconvenient truth’ that new roads create more traffic. A better solution
would be to use new forms of traffic management such as the variable
speed limits used on the M25 which help keep traffic moving.
Extra traffic will certainly be generated from new car-based housing
developments, and all of this will add to traffic and congestion on local
roads. The Expressway is all about opening up more land for housing.
The Government’s target is for 1 million new homes along the route
that’s equivalent to two cities the size of Liverpool. It’s hard to see how
that will ‘sort out’ congestion. Car-dependent settlements along this
route will do nothing to meet the need for genuinely low-cost housing in
employment centres such as Oxford.
These inflated housing figures are being challenged, as is the need for
the Expressway. Some limited road improvements may be called for,
especially around Milton Keynes. And there are alternatives. The
OxfordCambridge rail link is moving ahead far too slowly is the roads
lobby scared that much-improved public transport on this route will
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destroy their case for a ‘motorway-in-all-but-name’? Any rational
transport planner would begin by building the rail link, assessing its
impact and only then consider whether to invest £4bn or more in new
roads. Improved rail links and increased capacity between Oxford and
Didcot could also offer ‘metro-rail’ possibilities, linking employment
centres from Milton Park and Didcot with Kidlington and Bicester.
We still have some months to make a strong case against this ridiculous
proposal. Our MP, Layla Moran, is raising concerns in Parliament, and
increasing numbers of county councillors of all political hues are getting
worried. We need to make this issue completely toxic to all our
politicians and this means lobbying them in no uncertain terms.
This development is being proposed just as governments across the
world start to acknowledge the need for urgent action on climate
change. Central to that will be a shift to low- or zero-carbon transport
systems over the next decade. We need new and innovative responses
to these challenges, not a solution that harks back to the 1970s.
The No Expressway Alliance is linking more and more groups and
communities across the county in saying NO to the very idea. Your
support would be very welcome as well sign up at
www.noexpresswayalliance.org Chris Church
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Botley Arts: Emmett Casley
There’s a new show coming up
at Ss Peter and Paul’s church.
The artist is Emmett Casley,
(emmettcasley@gmail.com) of 5
Crabtree Road. Here’s what he
has to say about his work:
I’m a linocut printmaker, working
in Oxford. Initially trained in
three-dimensional design, I have
worked within graphic & software
design/illustration, then moved
into exterior & landscape design
over the last decade. My more
recent outdoor work utilised
architectural steel forms and
structures, and is influenced by
modern architecture and large-
scale minimalist sculpture.
In my printmaking, I try to
explore architecture within our everyday environment. I’m inspired by
bold architectural forms and detail, finding these not only in larger more
obvious structures, but also in the details within the mundane, everyday.
Many buildings and places are more obviously designed to capture our
attention, but there are details on some buildings and structures that
otherwise blend into the background. Our daily backdrops have bold
forms, details that someone, sometime, slaved over, that become
interesting to me when isolated. I’m attracted to strong geometry, large
manmade forms, the interaction between these structures and their
environment, the way larger civil engineering works sit within our
landscape and merge into it.
Or it’s just some linocuts that feature a lot of buildings. I don’t like
writing these things. Come and have a look though!
This powerful exhibition will be on show from February 11th to April 26th
at St Peter and St Paul’s Church in Botley. The exhibition is free, and is
available for viewing during church opening hours.
Jennie Hopkins, Chair Botley Arts
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Job well done!
January 7th was a good day for the Community Orchard and the Nature
Reserve. It was pretty grey and drab, weather-wise, but that didn’t put
off the 20 or so Oxford Conservation Volunteers. From 10am they were
there, sawing, hacking, raking and burning in a full frontal mission to
return the neglected areas to a better state.
North Hinksey Parish Council has the responsibility of keeping the ditch
along the bottom clear, so that it doesn’t make things worse when there
are floods, but our contractor hadn’t been able to get near it because it
was so overgrown with rank brambles, nettles and coarse growth. Once
OCV had cleared the banks, however, we were able to get a good look
at it and see just what was involved.
The ditch doesn’t seem to be a
stream all the water in it seems to
come from a fat overflow pipe near
the end of the bridge leading from
Minns Estate car park. It’s hard to
know what the overflow is draining
it seems unlikely to be the A34,
since the cemetery is in the way. If
anyone has information on this, I’d
be glad to have it. The part to the
left of the bridge as you go in is just
a silty backwater, hemmed in by a
wall of sandbags. As the ditch
passes the back of the pond, it
seems to acquire a hint of a
current, though it’s hard to see why.
At the far end it continues behind
Tudor House and presumably makes its way into the river. This bottom
corner is the point where Kevin Minns proposes to install a footbridge
and to improve the path running along the fence at the southern edge of
the nature reserve. The Parish Council has welcomed his proposal
since it brings a treble benefit it makes a simple and accessible
escape route in time of flood for the flats he proposes to build behind his
offices; it will open up the back end of the nature reserve a bit, which
was becoming impenetrable as the undergrowth filled out underneath
our planting; and he has offered
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a sum to help us get the Memorial Garden into better shape than it is
now which can only be good! It’s not going to be anything more than a
footpath, so won’t look very different from the way it does now, just a bit
tidier. The photo shows the result of their efforts at the ditch it’s not
looking very inspiring yet, but in future we will cut back the banks more
often, so that the delicate plants get a chance to flourish instead of
being crowded out by the bullies.
The main part of the work was to reduce the willows shading the pond.
These were duly pollarded, and the stands of tall hazel and alder that
had taken root nearby were thinned and the brash burnt on site. A few
locals came and helped things along (mental note: put this on the PC
website next time, so
that more people
know about it) but
most of the work was
done by the sturdy
team of volunteers.
I came back with cake
and more thanks later
on, and was
reassured that this
was their favourite
way of spending a
winter Sunday. You could see why I wish I’d taken a photo before they
started, but you just have to believe that the orderly scene they left
behind them at 4pm as darkness fell, was in real contrast to what they’d
found. Not only was the pond tidied and readied for the Spring, but
there is a huge pile of ash to be taken away by anyone who can use it in
their garden or allotment plot. There is also a pile of long logs mainly
hazel to be taken away and used for fires or building projects, while
the team were able to create stakes and binding whips to use on their
next hedge-laying project. What’s more, it turns out that they really love
to scythe. This is the ideal way to cut back the wildflower meadow, and
we have been trying to find someone to take it on for a long time. OCV
will gladly come back and do it at the end of July good news all round!
So I’ll end this account with three hearty cheers for the Oxford
Community Volunteers!
Ag MacKeith, chair, NHPC Allotments Committee
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Brownies Get Around
After our trip to the panto (see photo)
where the classic story of Dick
Whittington was turned on its head,
the consensus of opinion was that the
stripey Cat that Jack met in London
stole the show with his sinuous
moves. We finished off our Christmas
preparations by each making lanterns
and two different decorations: using
ice lolly sticks and tiny pom-poms to
make miniature hanging trees plus
monkey nut shells (after we’d opened
and eaten the peanuts) to make
reindeer labels. Then for Christmas each Brownie received a shiny new
Brownie badge book so that we are all on board for the new
programme.
Our new year’s resolution was to
finish off a badge which we had
started before we participated in
Parliament Week. This was part of
the UK Parliament's Vote 100
programme, which celebrated 100
years since the first women got
the vote. There was much to
learn, from how to cast a vote
(see photo), to how MPs are
elected, to how to control the House of Commons (“Order! Order!”) The
woven badge was pretty extraordinary too. Therefore, our first week
back in 2019 saw us polishing shoes and finally being awarded the
earlier-started Brownie Skills badge.
We have lots of plans for the coming year, for example, going to the
cinema to see “Mary Poppins Returns” despite being founded in 1972
we believe that this will be a first for our unit. Unusually for us, we do
have some spaces for new girls so if you have enjoyed reading about
us and would like your daughter/grand-daughter/niece to join an active
Brownie Unit here on Elms Rise (none of the Botley Road evening rush-
hour traffic for us!) you can find us at 2ndbotleybrownies@outlook.com.
We look forward to hearing from you. Lucy Howes
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In loving memory of
Janet Anne Wright
“Jan” was a long- time resident of
Botley, living the majority of her life
in Seacourt Road, mostly in the
family home bought by her parents
Margery and “Manny Pancott in
1935. When she was a young child
the family moved to Rosyth in
Scotland as her father, an able
seaman with the Royal Navy who
had been injured whilst on active
duty in the war, was offered a
gardener’s job at the Admiral’s
house. Her mother became the
house keeper. Jan started her
primary education in Scotland but
on returning to Botley attended the
local school. When she was eleven
she passed the 11+ exam and
gained a place at The Elms
Grammar School for Girls in Faringdon. At the age of 12 she tragically
lost her beloved Mum and took over the running of the home and
supported her heartbroken Dad while she carried on with her
schoolwork. It was a very difficult time for them both, but they were
helped immensely by their close friends and neighbours in Botley. On
leaving grammar school she was offered a hairdressing apprenticeship
at “Strange’s” in Market Street in Oxford.
She was married at 21, moved to Farmoor and three years later
welcomed her only daughter Nina. Sadly, the marriage didn’t last, and
Jan and Nina moved back to the family home in Seacourt Road to live
with Manny. At that time she bought the hairdressing business on West
Way “Jayson’swhich she ran for over 30 years.
Hairdressing was her passion, she loved the connection with her clients,
not just by making them look “glamorous” but also by listening to their
personal stories, sharing their troubles and offering words of comfort
and support. This special quality is something she shared throughout
her life
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with everyone whose lives she touched, and she was a great friend and
confidante to so many.
After losing her Dad, she went on to marry Terry, her soulmate, with
whom she shared nearly 30 happy years until his passing in 2015.
During this time, she also welcomed her 2 grandchildren Sam and Ellie,
whom she adored, and the whole family shared many special times
together, including annual holidays in Cornwall.
Jan was continuously striving to expand her knowledge and
understanding of many things: she was an active member of the
congregation at St Peter and St Paul’s church, a student of philosophy
in Oxford and the centre of her family’s life.
She was a loving, caring, supportive Mum, Granny and friend, with an
amazing sense of humour and love of life. She will be sadly missed by
Nina, Alan, Sam and Ellie but leaves behind a special legacy that they
will carry within them forever.
Nina Baker
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LOCAL PLANNING APPLICATIONS
P18/V2743/HH
30 Poplar Rd. Single storey side/rear
extension.
13 November
P18/V2765/HH
30 Montagu Rd. Single storey ground
floor extension.
16 November
P18/V2893/LDP
28 Laburnam Rd. Room in roof-space
with rear dormer and gable build up.
26 November
P18/V2968/FUL
Field End Harcourt Hill. Demolition of
existing buildings. Erection of 2
dwellings and external works.
3 Dec Target
Decision Date:
28 Jan
P18/V2772/PDH
24 Stanley Close. Single storey rear
extension. Depth 6m Height 2.85m.
4 Dec TDD:
15 Jan
P18/V2930/HH
29 Montagu Rd. Demolish conservatory
& garage, add additional 2nd storey to
side, add rear single storey extension.
7 Dec
TDD: 1 Feb
P18/V2700/FUL
22 Eynsham Rd. Amended plans.
Replace rear extension with 3 x 2 bed
houses. Convert original building to 2 x
2 bed flats. All with gardens & parking.
13 Dec
TDD: 7 Feb
P18/V3079/HH
8 Hazel Rd. Single storey rear
extension & conservatory.
14 Dec
TDD: 8 Feb
P18/V3072/HH
27 Cedar Rd. Single storey rear
extension.
17 Dec
TDD: 11 Feb
P18/V3102/CM
North of A420 Botley Road to south of
A423 ring road. Flood alleviation
scheme to reduce flood risk in Oxford.
(Further Environmental Information and
Amendments to Planning Application
P18/V1179/CM).
18 Dec
P19/V0032/HH
47 Crabtree Rd. Erection of factory
manufactured, detached, single storey,
timber frame, garden annexe.
2 January
TDD: 27 Feb
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Strange times we live in
I wanted to make an adjustment to my doorstep milk delivery, which
comes from Milk & More at Towles Mill, just by Redbridge recycling
place. So I rang them up. Imagine my surprise to find myself talking to
someone in the Philippines!! I’ve gone back to writing the milkman a
note and leaving it out with the bottles. It feels safer, somehow AgM
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From the Patients Participation Group
Your Community Needs You
and so does your local surgery
Given the size of the problem of loneliness, you may not be surprised to
hear that the government launched a ‘LONELINESS STRATEGY’ in
October last year. Loneliness is linked to many damaging health
impacts, like heart disease, stroke and depression to name just a few.
One of the strategies being used is social prescribing’. The idea is to
enable health care professionals to direct patients towards support that
will improve their wellbeing. We at Botley and Kennington would like to
be involved in this.
First of all, we would like to thank all those volunteers who are already
engaging with the community and helping those in need. For others who
may not yet be involved, we would like to invite you to join us!
How can you help?
1. With visiting and supporting people who may be housebound or
lonely.
2. With transporting patients to the surgery (this has become more
important now because of the 2 locations of the GP surgeries) or to
the hospital.
3. With facilitating coffee gatherings
4. With using your gardening skills to tend the surgery surroundings, or
even provide flowers from your gardens to brighten up the surgery.
How can this be facilitated?
OXFED, Oxford Federation of General Practice and Primary Care, a
not-for-profit health organisation providing NHS services for the
residents of Oxford City, have organised training for people who would
like to be a volunteer.
This training is needed because of the intricacy of healthcare, especially
regarding confidentiality as well as safety-netting for both the volunteers
and the person being seen.
If you would like to be involved please contact the PPG secretary
Canon Dr Chris Sugden on csugden@ocrpl.org!or! 07808! 297043! or!
leave a message for Dr Akinola at the surgery. Alternatively, you may
like to contact OXFED directly via their website
https://www.oxfed.uk/contact-us Or you can telephone them on
(01865) 223900.
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The good news is that it is not only the person that is helped who gets
the benefit, the volunteers also benefit from the effects of helping
others.
Chris Sugden
And on a separate matter:
Health Talk: Cancer Reduce your risk
Most of us will know someone with cancer hardly surprising as cancer
is very common. Almost 1000 people a day were diagnosed with cancer
in 2015, and this number is predicted to increase significantly over the
next few years. One in two people born after 1960 in the UK will be
diagnosed with some sort of cancer during their life.
There are many different types of cancer, with breast, prostate and lung
cancer accounting for over half of the UKs new cancer cases every
year.It is a myth that cancer is solely down to bad luck, genes or fate.
There are things that you can do right now to reduce your risk of
developing it.
Vaccinations can prevent infections which are known to increase the
cancer risk, such as Human papilloma virus, which is responsible for
genital warts, which can cause cervical cancer.
Screening programmes can detect cancer at an early stage, and
some can prevent cancer from developing in the first instance.
A key message for cancer prevention is to adopt a healthy lifestyle:
healthy weight and diet, sufficient physical activity, not smoking, sun
protection and breastfeeding.
But what does a healthy lifestyle actually entail? If you would like to
find out more, please join me at Kennington Village Hall on 6th February
at 7.30, for the first of a series of health talks arranged by Botley and
Kennington Medical Centre and the Patient Participation Group.
Dr Diana McEwan
Towards a Healthy Lifestyle?
Get the children /grandchildren out for a day in the fresh air over half
term. On 21st Feb BBOWT are running a Winter Bird Event at Raleigh
Park, 10am to 2pm (FREE). Bird activity trail and nature-themed games.
More info from Andy at andygunn@bbowt.org.uk or phone 01865
775476
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A different take on the Time of Giving
In November of last year, I attended
a memorial service for Eleanor
Bolton, known by many as ”The
Botley Bag Lady”. She was loved
and respected by many, but
misunderstood and disparaged by
others.
Her way of life, choosing to wear
rags and living off scraps in cold,
damp fields, was guided by her
belief, in her own words, that “I
should not want to be taking what I
see as more than my share. I think there has to be a balance between
what you are taking and what you are doing.” In a mediaeval world she
would have been recognized as an anchorite, rejecting the physical
world because of her faith. In the modern world she was seen as just a
tramp.
Christmas has been sold to us as “a time of giving”, but it is mostly
about getting. Getting more
presents. Getting expensive
presents. Getting into debt.
Getting a massive hang-over.
Followed by guilt and a list of New
Year resolutions never to do it
again. Until next year.
There is an alternative. My
daughter’s partner, a professional
chef, gave up his day to help cook
Christmas lunch for the homeless
at the King’s Centre in Botley. 650
people went away happy and well
fed. This pattern was repeated in
soup kitchens and community
centres all across Britain. Others
gave their time to visit old people
trapped and socially isolated in
their own homes. It does not
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matter how it was expressed, as long as it was giving, rather than
getting.
Bob and I ate our traditional Christmas lunch of beans on toast (out of
solidarity with those who cannot afford anything else), and then donned
warm clothing and hi-viz jackets. While most of the neighbourhood were
at home tucking into their turkey, we took advantage of the empty roads
to clear the accumulated litter from the wooded embankment that
separates the A34 from Westminster Way. In a couple of hours, we
removed 16 kg of rubbish. More than half of it was easily recyclable
bottles and cans. This was not rubbish which had blown there in the
wind. but stuff which had been deliberately tossed up onto the slope by
individuals determined to make other people’s lives more ugly.
Eleanor would have recognized our time spent as worthwhile. She was
never seen without her many carrier bags in which she collected other
people’s rubbish. Only in that sense a taker rather a giver.
Linda Losito
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Flood Scheme the EA tells us how and why
The Sprout has been reporting on the Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme
for as long as there has been something to report, aiming to give a
voice to all concerned. Below is the latest from the Environment
Agency, seeking to reassure us that the huge disruption will be worth
the pain. There is now organized resistance from Hinksey & Osney
Environment Group campaigning to modify the OAS’. Their latest,
strongly worded, press release urges the agencies involved to postpone
any action till they have dredged the streams and rivers and given
floodwater a chance show whether it can be accommodated by existing
channels.
But the project seems to be going ahead regardless. An eye-watering
extra £30,000,000 has been found, and a start has been made on
‘extinguishing’ sections of footpath in S Hinksey (alternative paths are
provided). Willow Walk and the ancient Monk’s Causeway will be much
affectedgaining bridges and losing a lot of trees.
!As many residents will know, the Environment Agency are working on a
proposed new flood scheme for Oxford. We have carefully modelled
and designed a scheme that will reduce flood risk in Oxford for the next
100 years, taking climate change projections into account. The scheme
will reduce flood risk to all properties in Oxford currently at risk of
flooding from the River Thames. It will also reduce flood risk to the
railway and roads, benefiting everyone who lives, works in or visits the
city. Our planning application is now before Oxfordshire County Council
and we are hoping for a final planning decision later this Spring.
The scheme will run from just north of the Botley Road, down to south of
the A423 near Kennington. We have taken a great deal of care in
ensuring the design for the scheme is as natural as possible and will fit
with the existing landscape. We will dig out material to create a natural
looking stream which will always carry water, and a wider shallower
area to the side of this, which will be planted with vegetation and only
carry water in times of higher flows. This ‘two-stage channel’ will create
more space for water away from built-up areas, reducing flood risk in
the city whilst fitting with the existing landscape.
In addition to reducing flood risk, our aim is for the scheme to deliver a
long term green legacy, which includes creating new habitat, increasing
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biodiversity, and improving the experience of recreation in the area for
generations to come. If the scheme is approved we believe it will help to
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safeguard the Green Belt in this area, as it will remain as a functioning
flood alleviation scheme for at least the next 100 years. This will help to
maintain and preserve the openness of this part of the Green Belt. We
are working on a long term maintenance plan for the next 100 years,
which will ensure the scheme not only remains as a functioning flood
scheme but continues to see environmental benefits well into the future.
Willow Walk
As part of the scheme, we will be building new bridges where they are
Artist"s impression of Willow Walk bridge, 15 years after construction
needed to keep access across the new two-stage channel. These will
include a footbridge at North Hinksey and two larger bridges that can
carry occasional maintenance vehicles at Willow Walk and the Devil’s
Backbone. The new bridge at Willow Walk will replace the existing
culverts and their metal railings. It will continue from the existing track,
just raised slightly higher.
We listened to concerns from the community about what the Willow
Walk bridge will look like and how it will be used. We have produced
some artist impressions of the bridge and can reassure people that it
will be suitable for horses and conforms to British Horse Society
standards. We’ve also confirmed that the bridge will not be turned into a
road, although it will be used for occasional maintenance access.
During normal conditions the
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existing Seacourt stream will be the first stage channel in the Hinksey
Meadow area and the wider second stage channel will be vegetation.
Only during times of higher flows will water enter the second stage.
Tree planting proposals
2000 trees will need to be felled during construction. To mitigate this, we
will be planting 4,325 trees. Approximately 15,000 smaller tree species,
such as hawthorn, hazel and elder, will also be planted, along with
many more native shrubs such as dogwood, goat willow, dog rose and
wild privet. The tree-planting proposals will result in more woodland
within the scheme area after completion than there is at present. These
woodland areas will be managed for wildlife and will include glades
sown with wildflowers to encourage butterflies and other insects, as well
as birds and foraging bats.
The replacement woodland trees will be saplings and it will be many
years before they have the same ecological value as those being felled,
so throughout the design process, our contractors, engineers and
ecologists have worked together to minimise tree loss wherever
possible. Once a contractor has been appointed we will work with them
to further minimise losses of mature trees wherever possible.
We continue to listen to and talk with all interested residents and groups
about the scheme, and are passionate that the scheme we’ve designed
is the best option to protect Oxford from the devastation floods will
cause in the long term.
Flood Risk
In times of dry weather it may be easy to forget that Oxford floods.
However, for those who experienced the floods of 2003, 2007 or 2013/
2014, the disruption and devastation will be memorable. Flooding is
more likely during winter and we encourage people to find out if they
could be affected by searching here: https://flood-warning-
information.service.gov. uk/ long-term-flood-risk This site also offers
advice, or you can call the Environment Agency on 03708 506 506.”
Find out more
To get regular newsletter updates about the scheme please sign up by
emailing oxfordscheme@environment-agency.gov.uk You can also
follow us on Facebook @OxfordScheme and Twitter @OxfordFAS
37
Environment Agency, leading on Oxford Flood Alleviation Scheme
CAB Sales helpline
Did you go to the January sales? It’s that
time when, to the tired shopper, it seems
as if the whole country is mobilised in
some civil emergency, pouring along the
pavements, off buses and into the shops
in search of reduced goods. And
inevitably everyone else is in competition
with you as you swing your loaded
shopping bags through the driving snow,
pushing the melting slush with your
boots, weariedly schlepping from one
shop to another, trying to beat closing
time, longing for cappuccino does it sound familiar?
But although the seasonal ordeal might be draining all your energy and
enthusiasm, you can still shop with confidence, knowing that the
Citizens Advice helpline is there to help you if you have a consumer
problem if you need to return faulty goods, if you’ve bought something
fake or counterfeit, or if something you’ve ordered hasn’t arrived.
The Citizens Advice consumer helpline (03454 040506) is open Monday
to Friday 9–5 (closed bank holidays). Advisers will answer your call,
explaining how you can pursue your claim. They cannot make a
complaint or take legal action on your behalf but they can give you
practical and impartial advice, explain the law which applies to your
situation, and also pass complaints to Trading Standards for you.
Before you call the helpline, prepare by jotting down the factual details
of your problem, such as when you paid for the item or service; how
much you paid; how you paid; the seller's name and address; and what
you have done so far to resolve the issue.
Citizens Advice can also be contacted in person
during opening hours or on Adviceline (03 444
111444). Our local office is in St Aldates (see
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/local/oxfordshire-south-
vale for opening hours)
38
West Way Community Concern update
Our best wishes for 2019 from all the members of the WWCC
committee.
Construction site update
The construction site was closed over the Christmas and New Year
holiday, but work started up again on 7th January.
The straight-through pedestrian walkway from Arthray Road was open
from 21st December, although we must use the previous walkway
around the site perimeter during construction hours until the
underground services below the straight-through route are completed.
After that the new walkway, with wired-in lighting, should be in place for
the rest of the construction period.
We have asked the developer what they can do about the way lighting
on the site is affecting houses on Arthray Road, and they have agreed
to see if they can reduce the problem.
The disabled toilet by the Chancellors Cabin is locked when the shops
are closed. The developer has agreed to look into the use of a RADAR
key, which would enable 24/7 access.
There has been positive feedback
from residents about SDC and their
swift response to problems. Don’t
forget that for any urgent questions
you can contact SDC’s Liaison
Officer Peter Sandercock on 01234
264 332
WWCC AGM
We thank all of you who attended our
AGM in November. Stephen
Parkinson was re-appointed as
Secretary. Mary Gill continues as
Chair and John Clements as
Treasurer. Lorna Berrett, Caroline
Potter and Grant Nightingale are also
members of the committee.
As well as the formal business of the
39
40
AGM, we had a general discussion on the development and on wider
issues affecting our community. It was noted that construction workers
were, in general, using the Park and Ride, but that on-street parking by
workers and commuters continues to be a problem. The temporary
pedestrian route to Arthray Road was causing safety concerns at the
time but this is now resolved. Lighting and noise from generators is a
nuisance to residents of Arthray Road. We questioned why the
development was called ‘Westway Place’, while the road is named
‘West Way, and have raised this with Mace, who own the site.
Planning application
In December 2017, Mace submitted an application P17/V3298/FUL to
make changes to the plans which were approved in 2016. Following a
couple of rounds of public consultation last spring, it was approved by
the Vale’s Planning Committee in May 2018. The formal approval notice
for the application has now been issued. Most of the approvals of the
conditions from the earlier planning consent which have been
discharged will apply to these new plans. Other conditions still need
formal approval; notably the landscaping, cycle parking and the external
lighting (i.e. in the car-park).
We will continue to monitor the conditions as they are discharged, and
bring any concerns to the attention of the planning officers and our local
councillors. To keep in touch with developments as they arise, go to
westwayconcern@gmail.com; www.westwayconcern.wordpress.com;
www.facebook/westwayconcern
Mary Gill, Chair
41
42
Randoms
Preventing chimney fires this winter
Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service attends about 40 chimney fires
every winter. It’s important to get chimneys swept regularly by a
qualified sweep, and other measures to reduce the risk are:
Check unused upper floor fireplaces and flues, where debris and
dust can accumulate and which may ignite
Don’t stack logs next to the fireplace, store them outside. Wood
burners or wood fires should never be left unattended when lit
Always protect an open fire with a guard. Make sure embers are
properly put out before you go out or go to bed
Prevent a birds’ nest from blocking your chimney with a protective
guard on the chimney pot
Use smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to warn of trouble.
And don’t keep this advice to yourself pass it on. Does anyone you
know need your help in organising a sweep or testing their alarms?
For further information on home fire and wood burner safety, visit
http://www.365alive.co.uk/cms/content/safe-and-warm
Botley Women’s Institute
The speaker at our meeting on 5th February will be Muriel Pilkington, on
“The Burford Mutiny.” We also have a number of groups which you can
join: Walking group (7th February); Craft group (19 February); Music
group (20 February); Book group (27 February). Do come and join us.
Alison Jenner
43
44
Join the Big Spring Clean
Joining together in Spring Clean 2019 (1st, 2nd, 3rd March) increases
the impact we can have on our fellow citizens and the local authority. It
shows we are committed to a cleaner Botley. In 2018 just two parts of
Botley got a Spring Clean. 2nd Botley Brownies did Arnold’s Way and a
second group of public-spirited people did Elms Rise, Westminster Way
and the shops.
But what about the A34 flyover and the bank next to it? What about the
bike path up to the A420 roundabout? What about the area all around
McDonalds? What about North Hinksey Lane? If we wait for someone
else to pick up the rubbish it will never happen. But if we get together
and show the world that we take pride in our neighbourhood, people will
see it is clean and will be less likely to drop litter. Why not get together
with your neighbours and do your own street? Don’t forget to tell The
Sprout what you did. We’d love to publish photos of all your efforts. You
can register at https://www.oxclean.org.uk/spring-clean
Calling hopeful gardeners
There are now several allotments free along North Hinksey Lane,
ranging from perfect plots beautifully kept, to exciting wildernesses full
of surprises like nameless apple trees, fruit bushes in the undergrowth,
plenty of wildlife and a river running
along the bottom and all surprisingly
cheap. Make this the year you started to
grow your own vegetables. Contact N.
Hinksey Parish Council for further info:
https://northhinksey pc.gov.uk/
Janet Godden
We said a sorrowful goodbye to Janet
Godden when she stepped down as our
County Councillor, but now that she’s
moved away from Botley, we are
missing her again as a long-serving
(and hospitable) Sprout Director. Thank
you, Janet, for those years of input.
Without you it would have been a
different story.
45
Not quite right!
We apologise to anyone who was inconvenienced by the publication of
the wrong service time for Christmas Day at St. Lawrence’s church in
the December Sprout. Clare Sykes, Rector
New Year’s resolutions –
make yours for the planet!
It has never been clearer we must act urgently to tackle climate
change. Start your 2019 by making a commitment to a safe future.
Climate change needs action by governments, by businesses, by
councils and by all of us. Oxford Together on
Climate Change invites you to play your part.
Sign up to take action via our website
https://change4climate.uk/ We invite everyone in
Oxfordshire to get together and make an impact.
We’re aiming for 10,000 actions what will yours
be? Read more in the Oxford Mail here: New Year’s resolutions:
Environmental groups encourage green mindset More info with
updates are on our facebook page
www.facebook.com/pg/OxfordTogetheronClimateChange
Winter weather – gritting
Given the uncertainty of British weather, it is worth identifying the
nearest salt/grit bin to your house so that you can be prepared should
prolonged freezing conditions set in. The grit is for use on public roads
and pavements, not private areas such as driveways, but please
consider any elderly or infirm neighbours who might need help to
ensure safe access to and from their house during wintry conditions.
There is more information on www.oxfordshire.gov.uk, the County
Council website. A map of locations in North Hinksey Parish can also be
found on the Contacts page of the Parish Council website
www.northhinksey-pc.gov.uk . The first top-up can be requested from
the County Council, after that request further supplies from the Parish
Council, who hold a store.
David Kay
46
1st Botley Brownies
Girls aged 710
Dean Court Community Centre Thur 67.30 Fiona
Wheeler, firstbotleybrownies@gm a il.com
2nd Botley Brownies
Girls aged 710
Rosary Room, Yarnells Hill. Tues 6:15-7:45 Alison
Griffin 2ndbotleybrownies@outlook.com
4th Oxford Scout Group
Beavers, Cub Scouts, Scouts
Scout Hall, Arnolds Way; mail@thefourth.org.uk
Website: http://www.thefourth.org.uk/
15th Oxford Scout Group
Boys and girls welcome
Meet Fridays, Botley Baptist Hall Contact: Julie Tatham
01865 863074 or Amy Cusden 07887 654386
Baby & Toddler Group
Tues/Thurs 9.1511 , SS Peter & Paul Church Hall
Badminton Club
Thurs 7-8pm at Matthew Arnold Sports Hall. Garry Clark
0777 3559 314 garryclark13@gmail.com
Books on Wheels R.V.S.
Free Library Service for housebound Ox. 248142
Botley Boys & Girls F.C.
Football teams from ages 8-16
Jason Barley Ox. 242926 jbarley1@ sky.com or
Brendan Byrne 792531 brendan.byrne999@gmail.com
Botley Health Walks
Wednesday 9.30 a.m Contact: Briony 246497
Botley Library
01865 248142. Open till 7 on Friday and 1pm on Sat,
otherwise 9.30 to 5.30 (closed Wednesdays).
Botley Singers
Thur 7.30, St Andrew’s Church, Dean Court. Angela
Astley-Penny Ox.242189 angastpen@aol.com
Branches Café, Westway
Place, Open to All 8am-3pm,
Open for young people 3 -5 daily, Th. eves 79
Te l : 0 1 8 6 5 25 111 5 www.branchesyouth.uk Facebook
Branches Youth Cafe, Instagram @_branches_youth_
Community Fridge
For all. Put food in, take food out. Ss P&P church, Mon
Sat 95, Sun 11 5. Riki Therivel 07759 135811
Cumnor Choral Society
Friday 7.30 to 9.30 pm Contact: 01235 533726 or
07552 786127 or www.cumnorchoral.co.uk
Cumnor Chess Club
Thurs 79pm Cumnor Old School. Steven Bennett
862788 www.cumnorchessclub.co.uk
Cumnor & District Historical
Society
Last Monday of the month 7.30-9.00 Cumnor Old
School. 01865 724808
Cumnor Gardening Club
Details on website at http://cumnorgardens.org.uk/ or
phone Chris Impey, 01865 721026
Harmony InSpires, Ladies'
Acappella Singing Group
Wed 7.30 at Appleton village hall. C. Casson 01235
831352 or harmonyinspires@hotmail.co.uk
Hill End Volunteer Team
Contact: David Millin on david.millin@hill-end.org, call
01865-863510 or visit www.hillend-oec.co.uk
Let’s Sing! singing group
Weds 2pm, WOCC, details Emily 07969 522368
or email emformusic@outlook.com
Morris Dancing Cry Havoc
Barbara Brett 249599 or bag@cryhavoc.org.uk
47
Mum and Baby Yoga for
babies from 6 wks to crawling
Mondays 10.30 at Dean Court CC, contact Jacqueline
Rice via https://yogawithjacqueline.co.uk
North Hinksey Preschool
and Childcare Clubs
MonFri 7.45am 6.00 pm. 01865 794287 or email
nhps.manager1@gmail.com
N Hinksey Art Group
Weds 10 12.00 W.I. Hall Tel: Christina 07931 707997
N Hinksey Bellringers
Contact: Ray Rook 01865 241451
N Hinksey Conservation
Volun t eers
Meets at weekends. Contact Voirrey Carr
07798743121 voirreyc@aol.com
N Hinksey, Friends of
Annual Cricket Match & Walk. Douglas Bond 791213.
N Hinksey Horticultural Soc
Contact: Ann Dykes Ox 251821 anndykes@hotmail.com
N Hinksey Parish Council
Alan Stone 01865 861992 nhpcclerk@msn.com
N Hinksey Youth Club
Wednesdays at Arnold's Way pavilion, call Daz on
07791 212866 or see Facebook
Over Sixties Lunch Club
Every other Thursday. Seacourt Hall. Viv Smith 01865
241539 or Jackie Warner 01865 721386
Oxford Flood Alliance
R Thurston 01865 723663 or 07973 292035
Oxford Flower Arranging Club
4th Thursday Cumnor. Dympna Walker: 01865 865259
Oxford Otters
Swimming for people with disabilities. Sundays, twice
monthly. Contact: Alan Cusden 723420
Oxford Rugby Club
Boys and girls from 5, kevin.honner@ntlworld.com
Seniors, training etc jbrodley@chandlings.org.uk.
Oxford Sports Lawn Tennis
Club, N Hinksey
Family club: Melanie Riste 848658 or
melanie_riste@hotmail.com
Parkinson’s Disease Soc
Contact: Pen Keyte, Branch Secretary 01865 556032.
Raleigh Park, Friends of
David Brown raleighpark@raleigh park .org.uk
West Way Day Centre
Mon & Fri 103pm, Field House, 07740 611971.
oxfordshirehub@royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk
Saturdads
Botley Bridges
Fun activities and trips for Dads and under 5’s
10 amnoon 1st Sat of month. Tel: 243955
Seacourt Hall management
committee
Contact: Michael Cockman 07766 317691
michael.cockman@gmail.com.
Shotokan Karate club
6+ WOCC twice weekly Martyn King 07836 646450
Weight Watchers
Thursdays 6pm at SS Peter & Paul Church Hall Banso
tel: 07779 253899 bansob@aol.com
West Oxford Bowls Club
Contact details on www.westoxfordbowlsclub.co.uk
West Oxford Taekwon Do
Club
Mon, Thurs 6.30-8pm, MA gym, contact Chris Hall
07815 899698 www.wotkd.co.uk
West Oxford U3A
(Uni of the 3rd Age) http://westoxfordu3a.org.uk/
Women’s Institute (Botley)
Liz Manson, 244175 email liz.manson@virgin media.com
48
Halls for Hire
Botley Baptist Hall
Westminster Way
Contact: Rev Kalyan Das
Te l . 07841 867967
The Rosary Room
Yarnells Hill, OXFORD
Contact Maria Brown,
Te l : 0 1 8 6 5 2 4 7 9 8 6 .
SS Peter & Paul Church Hall,
West Way, Botley
Contact: Mr M Shearan
Te l : 862748
Women's Institute Hall,
North Hinksey Lane
Contact: Val Warner
Te l . 245273
Seacourt Hall, West Way
Place, Botley
Contact: Eric Batts 07452 960100 or
seacourt.hall@gmail.com
Pavilion, Arnold’s Way, Elms
Rise, Botley
Contact: Emmett Casley 427519
emmett@kerensagardens.co.uk
Oxford Rugby Club, North
Hinksey Village
Contact: Mary Bagnall
mary.bagnall1@btinternet.com.
North Hinksey & Botley Churches
Times of Services and Contacts
St. Lawrence, Church of England, North Hinksey Lane
1st, 2nd, 4th Sunday, Sung Eucharist 11 . 3 0 a.m.
3rd Sunday, Matins 11.30 am
St. Peter and St. Paul, Church of England, West Way
2nd Saturday each Month, 46pm Messy Church for children and their carers
1st Sunday of the Month, 9.30am All Age service of Holy Communion
All other Sundays, 9.30am Holy Communion with activities for children
Every Wednesday, 10.30am Holy Communion at Field House
Rev Clare Sykes, Rector Tel: 242345 or revclare@btinterne t.com
Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Roman Catholic, Yarnells Hill
Saturday 6.30 pm. Mass
Sunday 9.15 am Mass
Fr Daniel Lloyd. 07584 323915 dlloyd@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk.
Botley Baptist Church, West Way Place
Sunday Service 10.30 am.
Mid Week House Group 8.00 p.m.
Family Worship Service 5-6pm on Saturday
Rev Kalyan Das 07841 867 967 www.botleybaptistchurch.org
Calvary Chapel
Sunday services held at Botley School 10.3012 noon
Pastor Philip Vickery 01865 864498
calvarychapeloxford@yahoo.co.uk;
www.calvarychapeloxford.org.uk
49
Sprout What’s On
February
Wed 6th 7.30, Kennington Village Hall, health talk by Dr MacEwan:
‘Cancer, reduce the risk
Sat 9th 4–6pm, Ss Peter and Paul Church, Messy church (theme
‘messy friends’)
Mon 11th Ss Peter and Paul church, linocuts by Emmett Casley,
continues till 11th April
Fri 15th 1012pm, White Hart, Wytham, district councillor surgery for
N Hinksey, Wytham, S Hinksey and Sunningwell
Thurs 21st 10am2pm Winter Bird Event for children aged 411, bird
activity trail, nature themed activities
Thurs 21st 8pm, Seacourt Hall, North Hinksey Parish Council meeting
March
1st to 3rd Big Clean Up, all around Botley
Sat 16th 10-12pm, Branches Café (above Library), District Councillors
Surgery
Thurs 21st 7pm, Seacourt Hall, NHPC Annual Parish Meeting
More local events and information on www.botleyhinksey.org.uk